Postage meter machines



Feb. 7, 1961 J. w. BACH 2,970,536

POSTAGE METER MACHINES Filed Feb. 19, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 NVEN J06 M///4 7f 2: 7

ATTORNEY b 7 19 1 J. w. BACH 2,970,536

POSTAGE METER MACHINES Filed Feb. 19, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY J. w. BACH 2,970,536

POSTAGE METER MACHINES Feb. 7, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 19, 1958 INVENTO am Zf ATTORNEY United States P t m'o POSTAGE METER MACHINES John William Bach, Stamford, Conn., assfgnor to Pitney- Bowes, Inc., Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 19, 1958, Ser. No. 716,056 1 Claim. (Cl. 101-427) This invention relates to postage meter machines, and more .particularly to improvements in such machines whereby otherwise inaccessible portions are made readily accessible to the operator for servicing or other work.

The postage meter machine illustrated and described herein has its various components compactly arranged so that the overall size of the machine may be conveniently small. In such compact machines, the various components which may from time to time require attention are closely nested to conserve space and are usually hard to reach when it is desired to service them. It is frequently necessary to disassemble parts and remove one component to reach another and to use tools in accomplishing this, and it is sometimes required that a mechanic must be called in to perform the necessary operations.

For instance, in a postage machine, especially one which optionally prints on letters or gummed tape, it sometimes happens that due to some unforeseeable or unnoticed condition the tape may become jammed in its It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a postage meter machine so constructed that various componentsmay be easily removed from their compacted relation with others so that access may be had not only to those components but to other components, access to which would not. be normally easily available.

Referring more specifically to the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, the postage meter machine, which is designed to print not only on letters but also on gummed tape, is provided with a frame having printing mechanism for optionally printing on the letters or on the tape. There aremeans at the introductory side of the printing mechanism for moistening the sealing flapsof envelopes, .and other means at the introductory side of the printing mechanism for supporting a supply of .gummed tape. Inwardly of the latter, there are means foifeeding and guiding the tape to and from the printing mechanism and for cutting the tape before it is issued from the machine- At the delivery side of the printing mechanism there are'means for applying moisture to the gummed tape. These'various means are located within the confines of the frame and in closely juxtaposed relation so that access to the tape feeding and guiding means is blocked on the one side by the envelope flap moistening means and on the other side by the tape moistening means, and access to the tape guiding means is blocked by the means for carrying the supply of tape. In addition; access to the'various components, the envelope flap moistener, the tape carrying means and the tape moisten- 2,970,536 Patented Feb. 7, 196i "ice ing means is inconvenient, being located within the confines of the machine so that the replenishing of water in the tanks of the moistening means and the replenishing of the tape supply would be difficult.

According to the present invention in its preferred form, the envelope flap moistener including its water tank, even though normally confined within the outline of the machine frame, is hingedly mounted preferably on a vertical axis so that it may be swung outwardly clear of the machine frame where it is easily accessible for servicing.

Likewise, the means for carrying the roll of tape which is normally located within the confines of the machine frame may be swung on a horizontal axis upwardly and away from the tape feeding and guiding means so that a fresh tape supply may be, conveniently inserted and the tape threaded from the feeding and guiding means to the printing means.

, Further, the tape moistening means including its water tank is, according to the present invention, hingedly mounted on the machine frame on a vertical axis so that it too can be swung outwardly from the confines of the machine frame to a position where it is readily accessible for servicing. If desired, the tape moistening means may be provided with hinge means of a type which permits the tape moistener including its tank to be completely removed from the machine if desired.

Thus it will be seen that when the envelope flap moistener, the tape carrying means and the tape moistening means are swung out of their normal positions within the confines of the machine, the tape feeding, guiding and cutting means becomes readily accessible so that any jams which may inadvertentlyoccur may be cleared by the ordinary operator without difficulty.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

For purposes of illustration and explanation, the invention is shown in detail in its preferred form in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the postage meter machine made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the front left-hand side of the machine showing the envelope flap moistener swung clear of the machine frame;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a mounting for the envelope flap moistener and with the moistener removed therefrom;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the lower portion of the front end of the machine showing portions of the envelope flap moistening device, means for guiding gummed .tape

over the impression roller, tape cutting means and tape moistener;

Fig. 5 is an elevation, partly in section, showing the lower front portion of the machine with the various components in normal operating positions;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lower right-hand corner of the machine showing a letter guide or deck plate in the actof being removed;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lower right-hand corner of the machine showing the tape moistener in its normal position flush with the side of the machine frame;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing the tape moistener being swung about its pivotal mounting to a position clear of the machine frame; and

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 7 and 8 but showing the tape moistener unit as having been removed from its pivotal position on the machine frame.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, the postage meter machine of the present invention has a generally rectangular frame 10 shown in Fig. 1 which includes a base portion 11 for containing within its confines the various component and operating mechanism required,

including devices to moisten, feed and cut off gummed tape and means to print postage and other indicia optionally on the letters as they pass through the machine or on the gummed tape at the will of the operator.

h t Pr i d m. 1 is vnta nelu th n a d um housing. 14, of a detachable. meter unit. M and'need not here be' further referred, tofegicept to say that itis position ed to print upon letters or tape passing over an impression roller 15 (see Figs. 4 and 5) which is mounted on the frame at the front side of the machine intermediate the left-hand or introductory side and right-hand or delivery side thereof as viewed inlfig. l. A throat or passage. 16 is provided at the front ofthe rnachine from one side to the other to provide 'a passageway for the letters.

At the. left or introductory side of the impression roller 15, there is. located normally within the confines of the machine frame a device 17 for moistening the closure flap of an envelope as it is inserted and, passes through the machine. The moistening device comprises a hollow enclosure 13 which provides a water tank 19 containing a sponge 20. which by capillary action carries water from the tank to a moistening brush 21 under which the inner gummed or adhesive surface of. the envelope flap passes when the envelope is inserted in the machine. The brush 21 has a guard plate 22 over which the body of the envelope moves as the flap passes through, the moistener.

The moistener includes a flap stripper plate 23 under which the flap of the envelope passes and this, with the assistance of spring-pressed fingers 24, 25 and 26, causes the flap to be deflected downwardly away from the body of the envelope and pass under the moistening brush 21 while the body. of the envelope passes over the guard plate 22. In its movement under the moistening brush the envelope flap is. supported out of Contact with the sponge 20 by a plate 27 and a deflector 28. The envelope with its moistenedflap is pushed through the machine until its leading edgeenters the bite between the printing drum 13-.and the impression roller by which it is gripped and f ed. forwardly-the postage printing operation being per-.

formed and the flap being pressed into sealing engagement. with the body of the envelope at; the same time. Located normally directly under the enclosure 18 of theflap moistening device. at the left side of the machine are means generally indicated at. 291. for carrying and guiding a supply of gurnrned tape, the latter being in the form ofa r011 30, in theembodiment of the inven' tion illustrated, carried on a stud or spindle 31 within the base 11. The means for guiding the tape from the roll 30 comprises spaced guide plates 33 and 34. between which the tape passes'and from the. latter. the tape is placed between a feed control roller. 35 and a pressure roller 36. From the latter rollers, the end of the tape is adapted to be guided, over'the impression roller 15 between upper and lower tape guidev elements 3737a and from thence'to a cutoff. device 38 (see Fig. 4) and a tape moistener generally indicated at 39.

The moistener- 39. for the tape comprises a tank 40 containing water and mountedon a bracket 4-1. A wick 40a submerged within the tank is maintained wet so thatits upper end 42, which projects slightly. beyond the upper portion of the tank, moistens the gummed underside of the tape as it passesthereover and issues from the machine. A shield 43 is adapted to be moved to a positron to cover the moistening end of the wick when it is desired to receive tape in a non-moistened condition, as in Fig. 5, orto a position wherein the end of the wick is exposed for moistening the tape, as in Figs. 7 and 9.

The tank 4t and other parts of the tape moistening device 39 are located within the confines of the machine frame to the right of the impression roller 15 with the outer surface 45 of tbetank substantially flush with the right side of the'machine.

Located above the tape moistener 39 and in the. space between the overhanging' drur'n housing Hand the base I 10 is a removable deck plate 46 (see Fig. 6), the top surface'of which constitutes a guide for the letters being fed through the machine. The deck plate 46 has a tab portion 47 fitting in a slot 48 in an upstanding portion 49 of the machine frame. The forward apron of the deck plate fits over the front wall of the base portion 11.

From an examination of'Eig, 4, and from what has been said above, it will be appreciated that with the compact arrangement of' the envelope moistener 17 and the tape roll carrier 29 at one side of. the rnagchinein close proximity. to the printing and feeding mechanism for both the envelope and the tape and particularly the guiding means for the tape, that great difficulty would. be encountered in attempting to gain access to the tape guiding area for clearing a tape jam if. the same; sheutd occur in the operation of the machine. Without the convenience provided by means of the arrangement of the members referred to above, it would become necessary to calla Serviceman to place the machine in operating condition.

Toprovide for the service of an occasional tape jam present invention makes it possible to quickly and easily gain access to the tape feeding and guiding. means. The

two moistener units and the, parts of the machine which these units obstruct or obscurewhen intheir'normal positions are made accessible by mounting the said units so that'they can be moved outwardly clear bf the machineframe and the partsrnountedftherein. i

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein as exemplary thereof, the moistener units 17 and39' are pivotally mounted so that they may be swung outwardly clear of the machine and yet remain attached thereto so that they can be returned" by merely swinging them inwardly. i

As shown in Figs. 2 and. 4, the envelope flap moistener unit 17 is carried b y a hQri ontaIar'm'SO mountedfon a stud 51 carried by the frame 1 0of the machine. The arm 50 and. stud 5 1 are so shaped and positoned that the subframe 18 may be swunglfrom the" position shown in Fig. l tothfii Shown in Fig.1 2 where it will beseen free access is. given. to the parts associatedwith the said unit 17. The stud'is disposed vertically sothat-the tank is maintained in horizontalposition to avoid spilling ofthe water therein when it is swung outwardly.

When the moistener unit 17 is swung outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2 it provides access to the rollof tape andthe tape guides; The tape roll supporting spindle31 is carried by abracket32 which is pivoted'ona horizontals bait 52 so that it ca n be swung outwardlyjto the broken line position shown in Fig. 5 where it is clear of the side of the machine and in which position the stud 31 for supporting' thfe roll' is exposed to receive a new roll of tape, With the bracket 32 in saidlatter posi tion, the leading end of the tape-can conveniently be guided between the spacedplates 33 and 34 'and'led'between the feed rolls 35 and pressure roller 36.- When this has been done, the bracket 32 jcan-be-swungback-to the full line position shownin Fig. 5, after which the flap moistener unit 17 can be swung back to its normal position shown in Fig. 1, In th is position, aledge 53' on the water tank 19 engages the top edge54 of the tape roll mounting bracket 32and'retains the latter in'its 'desired normal or operating positi'c m.

To provide access to the right-handside of the machine, the bracket 41 forv the tape. moistener is provided with a pair of apertured ear s '55fwhich receive a' pair; of Vertical pins 56 mounted onthe machine frame and'on which the bracket 41. may be swung outwar ly Of the frame from the position shown in. Fig. 7v to that shown in Fig. 8.where the tape moistener, becomes accessible for at k n To hold the bracket 41 in its normal position flush with the frame, the lower end of the tank 40 is provided with a projection 57 which fits in a slot 58 on the base 11 and interlocks therewith. To swing the bracket 41 outwardly it is raised slightly so that the projection 57 clears the slot 58 after which the said bracket 41 may be swung on its vertical axis to the position shown in Fig. 8 without danger of spilling water in the tank 40. If greater access to the interior of the machine is desired than can be obtained by swinging the tape moistener 39 outwardly on its pivots, it is merely necessary to lift the apertured ears 55 oil? the pins 56 as illustrated in Fig. 9.

When the necessary servicing of a tape jam or replenishing tape is completed, the moistener units are t easily swung back into operating position and the machine is ready for further operation.

To give greater access to the interior of the machine, as when clearing a tape jam, the deck plate 46 is also easily removable from its normal position within the confines of the machine. This is accomplished by providing the releasable interlocking connection between the tab 47 and the apertures 48 in the raised portion 49 of the frame.

It will be appreciated that with the envelope flap moistener 17 swung clear of the machine as shown in Fig. 2, the tape moistener swung clear of the machine as shown in Fig. 8, the deck plate 46 removed, also with the meter unit M removed, the tape feeding and guiding means is readily accessible from the front of the machine.

In the normal operation of the machine, letters will be guided along the surface of the stripper plate 23 and the deck plate 46 during a printing cycle of operation. When passing between the printing drum 13 and impression roller 15 the upper tape guide 37, being flexible, will yield to the pressure of the letter. The leading end of the tape will be maintained within the tape guides 37, 37a at a position below the surface of the deck plate 46. Hence, the path of the letter is unobstructed during letter printing.

When printing on tape, the leading end of the tape will initially be automatically advanced to a pick-up position at the bite of the printing drum 13 and impression roller 15. During printing the tape end will advance through a cutting position to the location of the fingers 44 where the cut tape may be manually gripped and withdrawn. Before the machine cycle is completed, the new leading end (where cut) is returned to its normal starting position. The means for advancing and returning the tape during the operating cycle is not included as it has become well known in the art and forms no part of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

The combination with a machine having a postage printing drum and impression roller operable for printing postage impressions on envelopes when passed therebetween or on gummed tape which is guided by guide means from a source of supply at the introductory side of the machine to and between the printing drum and impression roller and to a moistening position. at the delivery side of the machine; of a closure framing the impression roller and tape guide means; said closure including a pivotally positioned envelope flap moistening device disposed above and blocking access to a portion of the tape supply and guide means when in position at the introductory side of the machine to receive the envelope while advancing toward the printing drum, a pivotally positioned tape moistening device blocking access to another portion of the tape guide means when in position to moisten tape at the delivery side of the machine, and a detachable letter guiding deck plate disposed above and blocking access to a further portion of the tape guide means; whereby, upon pivoting the moistening devices about their pivotal positions and removing the deck plate, the tape supply and tape guide means are entirely exposed in a manner which will facilitate servicing of tape jams by the operator of the machine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,114,893 Lerche Oct. 27, 1914 1,164,212 Reifsnyder et al Dec. 14, 1915 1,331,579 Rosenfeld Feb. 24, 1920 1,529,130 Inman Mar. 10, 1925 2,371,070 Sager et al Mar. 6, 1945 2,414,937 Elliott Jan. 28, 1947 2,434,996 Gautier et al. Jan. 27, 1948 2,631,035 Eddy Mar. 10, 1953 

